Internet

Netflix has an ISP rating to let consumers know how ISPs are doing delivering Netflix streaming video. Netflix is involved in a fight for the last mile with the largest ISPs in the US, especially Comcast and Verizon FiOS.

When your Netflix video buffers and buffers, some people call their ISP who has them do a speed test. Big deal.

Many people have asked me about this. I don't have a rant about the FCC's Net Neutrality decision. We got screwed but I can't get worked up about it because that is what I expect to happen in DC these days.

Your top MSO's are also your biggest ISPs. Your top MSO's are already in the content arena with the TV stations they own (mainly sports stations, but Bright House owns news stations and Comcast owns NBCU!)

Comcast is effectively in the content gatekeeper toll booth space after the Netflix paid peering deal.

I have noticed that some newspapers are trying to put up a pay wall. I have no idea how effective it has been.

What a few AT&T partners couldn't figure out is how the channel partner can sell VoIP, transport and Internet Access without a CLEC license. Well, in many states those services can be sold without a CLEC license.

Verizon pays no taxes. "Verizon was among 26 Fortune 500 corporations that were consistently profitable between 2008 and 2012 yet paid no federal income taxes, according to a new study," according to this article the Chronicle.

VZ collects a lot of money from the federal government and the taxpayers in the form of USF dollars, E-rate funds, and government contracts. Yet they pay no taxes!